2012 buick lacrosse Reviews and News

Hybrid or V-6? That's the choice Buick is offering LaCrosse buyers for 2012, and neither option is extra-cost.

The V-6 is a 3.6-liter that makes 303 hp, which is considerably more power than you get with the 4-cylinder hybrid. The V-6 also is alone in offering the option of all-wheel drive.

The hybrid, which Buick calls eAssist, is a mild hybrid, in that it can't propel the car solely on electric power, even at low speeds. Instead, as the car's name implies, it assists with 15 hp and 79 pound-feet of torque, helping the 182-hp four-cylinder accelerate this 3835-pound car. More importantly, it allows the engine to shut down at stoplights and then smoothly and instantly restart, aiding the cause of fuel economy. Speaking of miles per gallon, the LaCrosse eAssist is EPA rated at an impressive 25/36 mpg. That's much better than the 19/30 mpg for unassisted four-cylinder offered previously, not to mention far more economical than the V-6's 17/27 mpg.

A six-speed automatic, instead of a stepless CVT, gives the LaCrosse conventional-feeling throttle response rather than the elastic response conveyed with a CVT. Speaking of response, though, with the LaCrosse's ultra-tall final drive ratio, you really have to put your foot into it to awaken this powertrain. On a positive note, the 2.4-liter Ecotec --which, like many direct-injected four-cylinders, is not known for its mellifluous sound quality -- here has been so effectively muffled that could almost be a V-6, at least under 3000 rpm. And the car is very quiet overall.

If that's what you'd expect from a Buick, then so too is the chassis. The car comfortably sops up bumps but would benefit from greater damping of body motions, to quell squat and dive. The electrically assisted power steering is rather numb and artificial-feeling.

As in many other hybrids, the eAssist battery pack is located behind the rear seat, and it takes up a bit of trunk room (as do the old-fashioned-style gooseneck hinges and their big plastic housings).

If trunk space is not this big sedan's strong point, rear-seat space certainly is. That's not surprising given that in the Chinese market, where the majority of Buicks are sold nowadays, the LaCrosse might often be a chauffer-driven car. Those riding in back will find headroom just adequate under the sloping roofline but there's a generous 40-plus inches of legroom. A rear-seat entertainment system is also available.

In all, the eAssist system is a very painless and unobtrusive way to get compact-car gas mileage in a big, comfortable sedan. Given an even choice between it and a more powerful V-6, it will be interesting to see which way Buick shoppers vote.

The LaCrosse was redesigned for 2010, but it has gotten more interesting since then. The car's styling is aimed at both the Chinese and the U.S. markets, as Buick now sells more cars in China than it does here. Because a car like this is often chauffeur driven in China, the LaCrosse has generous rear-seat legroom, and buyers can maximize the rear-seat experience by opting for the available DVD entertainment system. Up front, the driver faces a dash that is highly styled, with plenty of chrome, intricate gauges, and a configurable screen. Buick's IntelliLink (available midyear) promises enhanced interaction with a smart phone. IntelliLink is new for 2012, but the LaCrosse's more significant changes are found under the hood. Whereas the base engine was previously an underwhelming V-6, the new one is a 2.4-liter four-cylinder supplemented by a battery-powered electric motor. This so-called mild hybrid (the motor can't power the car on its own) delivers fuel economy of 25 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway, figures that are better than many compacts'. At the same time, the eAssist system makes the four-cylinder surprisingly responsive and has impressive refinement. The V-6 has been bumped to 303 hp and is your only choice if you want all-wheel drive, and, in fact, we recommend AWD with the bigger engine because the softly sprung LaCrosse can easily unload its front wheels during acceleration. Higher-trim V-6 models (Premium III and Touring) use GM's HiPer Strut front suspension to minimize torque steer.

In its push for vehicle electrification, GM has announced it plans on selling 500,000 vehicles with eAssist or plug-in technology by 2017.
“Our commitment to eAssist is unwavering,” said Mary Barra, Senior VP Global Product Development in a release. The mild hybrid technology has proliferated across the automaker’s portfolio and landed in the Buick LaCrosse, Regal, and Chevrolet Malibu. The upcoming 2014 Chevrolet Impala, scheduled to debut next year, will also employ the light electrification technology.
GM also says it’s on track for selling more than 50,000 vehicles with electrification this year between the Volt and eAssist-equipped cars. The Volt alone has already sold 19, 309 examples through October, and its plug-in technology will also play a major role in GM’s future. “The unique propulsion technology pioneered in the Volt – the same technology that will be featured in the Cadillac ELR – will be a core piece of our electrification strategy going forward,” said Barra. Already in the books is a plug-in electric version of the Spark EV slated to go on sale next year in the U.S. and South Korea, with other markets to be later announced.
Which other vehicles do you think should get eAssist? What GM models would make good plug-in candidates? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: GM

Buick has a surprisingly efficient and smooth-driving machine in the LaCrosse eAssist. The LaCrosse's large size doesn't do much to change the perception that Buick is for older customers, but there's a reasonably up-to-date infotainment system inside, and the exterior styling is far more radical than Buicks of a few years ago.

Although Buick may be using the term concept fairly loosely here, the LaCrosse GL Concept – which is slated to make its full unveiling next week at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show – gives a glimpse into the brains of Buick’s designers and the future palette of the tri-shield brand.

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Warranty

Recalls

Recall Date

12-31-1969:21:35:10

Component

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL

Summary

GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 BUICK LACROSSE PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 9, 2011, THROUGH JULY 2, 2011, FOR FAILING TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 126, "ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEMS (ESC)." THE STABILITRAK SYSTEM HAS AN INCORRECT CALIBRATION THAT MAY CAUSE THE SYSTEM TO NOT PROPERLY DETECT IF A SENSOR WERE TO MALFUNCTION, AND THE WARNING LIGHT INDICATING THAT THE SYSTEM IS NOT OPERATING WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE, AS REQUIRED IN THE SAFETY STANDARD.

Consequences

THE IMPROPER DIAGNOSING MAY CAUSE THE ESC TO FALSELY ACTIVATE, RESULTING IN SUDDEN CHANGES IN VEHICLE HANDLING AND DECELERATION, PARTICULARLY AT HIGHER SPEEDS, WHICH MAY CAUSE THE DRIVER DIFFICULTY IN MAINTAINING THE VEHICLE'S DESIRED PATH OF TRAVEL AND DESIRED VEHICLE SPEED, AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

GM DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080.

Potential Units Affected

4,077

Notes

GENERAL MOTORS LLC

Recall Date

12-31-1969:21:35:30

Component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Summary

General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012 and 2013 Buick LaCrosse and Regal, and model year 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco vehicles equipped with eAssist. These vehicles may have a condition in which the Generator Control Module (GCM) may not function properly. This could cause a gradual loss of battery charge and the illumination of the malfunction indicator light.

Consequences

If the vehicle is continued to be driven, the engine may stall and/or the vehicle may not start. In addition, there may be a burning or melting odor, smoke, and possibly a fire in the trunk.

Remedy

GM will notify owners and dealers will test the GCM and replace it, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on June 11, 2013. Owners may contact GM at 1-800-521-7300. GM's recall campaign number is 13136.

Potential Units Affected

42,904

Notes

General Motors LLC

Recall Date

12-31-1969:21:35:40

Component

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST

Summary

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Buick LaCrosse, Regal and Chevrolet Camaro, as well as certain 2010-2012 Cadillac SRX, Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles, equipped with power height adjustable driver and passenger seats. In the affected vehicles, the bolt that secures the driver's and passenger's power front seat height adjuster may fall out causing the seat to drop suddenly to the lowest vertical position.

Consequences

If the driver's seat unexpectedly drops, the distraction and altered seat position may affect the drivers' control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the height adjuster shoulder bolts, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed interim letters to owners on September 11, 2014. The recall began on December 26, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14271.